Cancer is not a single disease with a single type of treatment. There are more than 200 different types of cancer, each with its own name and treatment. This section provides an overview of what cancer is.

Financial
help

You or your family may have concerns about income, additional costs or managing your finances as you near the end of your life. You are likely to be entitled to benefits in the last months of your life to help with your care. Your doctor, nurse or social worker can let you know how to apply for these. You may also be entitled to free prescriptions, so you can ask them about that too. The names of the benefits and how much you might receive may vary between different countries in the UK. There have also been changes to the welfare benefits system which may affect which benefits you can claim.

Some charities and other organisations provide grants to help with costs at the end of life. A financial adviser can provide advice on managing your financial arrangements. You can call our free support line to speak to one of our financial guides. Your union or professional organisation may also be able to help.

Benefits for people at the end of life

Most people who need care towards the end of their lives qualify for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA), if under the age of 65, or Attendance Allowance (AA), if over the age of 65.

As part of the welfare reforms, PIP has gradually been replacing DLA in England, Scotland and Wales since April 2013. If you live in Northern Ireland, you’ll need to check with your benefits adviser or social worker whether you should claim DLA or PIP.

These benefits aren’t means-tested. Anyone who isn’t expected to live longer than six months because of an illness can apply for PIP/DLA or AA under special rules. Under these rules, the claim will be given priority and will be dealt with more quickly. You’ll also receive the benefit at the highest rate. People who are claiming under this special rule need to ask their doctor to complete a form.

Other financial help for people

Grants

You may be able to claim grants from other organisations or charities. Macmillan gives grants and benefits advice to people with cancer. You can call our support line for free. You can also read our information about financial support.

Your union or professional organisation, if you belong to one, may be able to give you financial help or advice. In some professions, there may be special funds that can help with cash grants and sometimes holidays. Details are listed in the directory 'A guide to grants for individuals in need', which is available in most public libraries.

Prescriptions

These are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In England, people with cancer can also get free prescriptions, but you need to apply for an exemption certificate by collecting an FP92A form from your GP surgery or oncology clinic.

Latest from the Online Community

Blog post

If you're living with advanced cancer, it can be important to consider the practical and financial side of things. For Dying Matters week our Community users talked about how they helped their loved ones prepare for the end of life.

Featured group

This group is specifically for anyone with an incurable or terminal diagnosis. Whether you need to talk about dying, or about making the most of your life, you can discuss your feelings openly here, without fear of upsetting those in other groups.

We make every effort to ensure that the information we provide is accurate and up-to-date but it should not be relied upon as a substitute for specialist professional advice tailored to your situation. So far as is permitted by law, Macmillan does not accept liability in relation to the use of any information contained in this publication or third party information or websites included or referred to in it.

Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UQ.

For cancer support every step of the way, call Macmillan free on 0808 808 00 00 (Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm) or visit macmillan.org.uk